Americas edition. Jaime commented: "Airport privatisation is a reality and a necessity in Latin

America. The question is not whether to privatise, but rather which model is best-suited to the

region."

In a third session, the focus was on the issue of airline consolidation. While Horst Findeisen, Vice

President of Business Development at Star Alliance, highlighted that the alliance is looking at

generating more member airlines in the region, Emilio Romano, Board Director at TAM, pointed out

that alliances are very beneficial from a passenger's point of view, but not always from an airline's

point of view. All three panellists, including Francisco Cuellar, Vice President of Business

Development for Latin America and the Caribbean at ASM, agreed that the process of consolidation

is a highly individual one, dependent on each airline's business model.

Moderated by Michael Bell, Partner at Spencer Stuart, the forum addressed the main issues which

are of concern and interest to the region's air transport industry. Bell commented: "I sensed a high

degree of engagement both on the part of the panellists and the audience."

The Routes Americas Strategy Forum was sponsored by IATA.

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

About Routes

World Routes - The World Route Development Forum - is the world renowned annual airline and airport networking event. Routes facilitates and encourages the role of airports in the development of air services through organising global and region specific airline/airport networking forums. The 16th World Routes will be held in Vancouver, Canada - September 19-21, 2010.

In April 2007, Routes also won the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2007. The award, for outstanding business performance and commercial success, recognised Routes' sustained contribution to aviation route development through its innovative Regional and World Route Development Forums.